Memorie di Angelina is dedicated to continental Italian cookery, but as long time readers will know, every Columbus Day we feature an Italian-American dish. This year’s feature: Spaghetti and Meatballs, which might be the most famous Italian-American dish of all time, a staple of ‘red sauce joints’ all over the … Read More
Pesce all’acqua pazza (Fish Poached in “Crazy Water”)
Acqua pazza, or ‘crazy water’ is the humorous term for a really easy but very tasty Neapolitan method for poaching fish. Make a garlic and oil base, throw in a few cherry tomatoes and other flavorings if you like, lay down your fish fillets, simmer for a few minutes and you’re done. … Read More
Pesce spada con capperi alla calabrese (Calabrian Swordfish with Capers)
Swordfish is well liked here in the States and elsewhere for its mild taste and meaty texture. And the fish’s enormous size means that it is generally sold in large, boneless ‘steaks’ that make for a carefree eating experience. Even folks who are skittish about other kinds of fish often enjoy swordfish. Swordfish is a popular fish in … Read More
Pasta con la ricotta (Pasta and Ricotta Cheese)
Pasta and ricotta make for a perfect impromptu meal or weekend dinner. The mellow flavor combination of tomato, ricotta and a bit of parmesan cheese is vaguely reminiscent of southern-style lasagna. But unlike lasagna, it’ll be done in less than 30 minutes—the time it takes to bring the water to … Read More
Linguine al vino rosso (Linguini with Red Wine Sauce)
As regular readers will know, I’m the traditionalist when it comes to Italian food. By and large, I stick with the tried and true. But every so often, an innovative dish comes around that attracts me, usually because, even if it’s not traditional, the dish feels so ‘right’ that it … Read More
Pizzette fritte (Fried Pizza Rounds)
I’ve said before and I’ll say it again: is there anything more primally satisfying than fried pizza dough? If there is, I haven’t come across it yet. The Neapolitans have come up with all sorts of tidbits made from fried dough, of which we’ve already seen two examples, zeppole and … Read More
Papas arrugadas con mojo rojo (Salt-boiled potatoes with red chile sauce)
I love potato salad in summer but, variety being the spice of life, I like to shake things up a bit now and again. One delicious option are papas arrugadas, or ‘wrinkled’ potatoes. I had them for the first time at a local tapas place run by celebrity chef José … Read More
Sautè di cozze (Italian Steamed Mussels)
When we were living in Rome, there was a great little roadside restaurant close by called “Il Cantuccio”. They made a number of dishes well, but one of our standbys was sautè di cozze, literally “mussel sauté”. They are, in fact, an Italian version of that near universal dish: steamed mussels. … Read More
